The sport of kitesurfing has undergone a remarkably fast emergeance as one of the world’s fastest growing watersports. Kitesurfing can trace it’s origins back to various attempts to harness the power of the wind as a form of propulsion across water but it is only really in the last ten years that the sport suddenly became popular on the back of a functional and affordable design of equipment. That equipment consists of a bi-directional board, effectively a lightweight surfboard, a harness and lines attached to a large kite that is easily controlled. Once the equipment hurdles were overcome the sport rapidly blossomed into the craze it is today.

A key element to the success of kitesurfing is the availability of suitable locations where the sport can be practised. Unlike surfing, kitesurfing does not rely on a particular sea state. As long as there is sufficient wind and it’s in a suitable direction, ideally side onshore, then the activity can be carried out. Offshore winds are dangerous for obvious reasons while a direct onshore wind direction also carries an element of risk should the surfer be driven onto rocks or other beach obstacles.

Having said that, many locations lend themselves to the sport; there are some that are unable to accommodate kitesurfers and there are others that have quickly found fame as favourite locations. The main reasons why a location would be unsuitable for the sport lie in prevailing wind directions but also with the hazardous nature of the sport for other beach users. Several beach resorts already ban kitesurfing for that reason.

Weather places only a small part in kitesurfing. Obviously very strong winds or storms would make the sport more dangerous than it already is, but air and water temperature matter very little. You often see surfers on the water during winter months wearing thick wetsuits, but the most popular kitesurfing destinations usually boast warmer climates making the sport very enjoyable.

Having developed in the US there are hundreds of locations in North America that attracts high numbers of surfers, but in Europe now the sport is already well-established and in the warmer waters of southern Europe you will find several world-class resorts.

Perhaps surprisingly, The Netherlands has a high number of kitesurfing resorts, as does the UK despite its variable weather. But Spain has the advantage of both climate and thousands of miles of coastline, allowing it to provide a wide choice of great kitesurfing locations.

The resort of Famara on Lanzarote is one of those locations that attracts thousands of surfers year-round. A 5 kilometre long beach that shelves through shallow water until around 50 meters offshore provides a perfect environment for the sport. Famara village is off the beaten track for the typical tourist so is normally a haven for kitesurfers only. The kitesurfing centre in the village provides equipment hire, instruction and transfer to the beach which lies just 5 minutes away. As such it has a laid back and welcoming feel. Flights to Lanzarote are available from all over Europe with a wide choice of airlines operating frequent flights to the island’s airport at Arrecife.

Operators like FlyThomasCook offer low cost flights to Fuerteventura which also has a kitesurfing beach called Flag Beach just outside the village of Corralejo, however surfers seem to rate the beach at Famara on Lanzarote as better.

Many flight operators are now used to travellers wanting to carry sporting equipment. Some accept sporting gear on a ’space and weight permitting’ policy which is not entirely helpful, because what are you supposed to do with your kiteboard once you’ve already arrived at the airport and they don’t accept it onboard? If they are able to carry your kiteboard, FlyThomasCook will charge around 40 pounds return for short haul flights and 60 pounds for long haul. That compares favourably to Thomson and Britannia who currently charge 100 pounds for long haul.

About The Author
For kitesurfers looking for flights to Lanzarote Dan Williams has written a number of helpful articles.